Over the centuries, some biblical prayers have become particularly loved by Christians. The Lord’s Prayer is one of them (Matthew 6:9-13). The Jesus Prayer (“Lord Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner”), based on Luke 18:13, is highly regarded by the Eastern Orthodox Church. Today I give you my favorite. Let’s call it “the Doubter’s Prayer.”
Doubt and dimness surround its origin. Peter, James, and John had just seen Jesus transformed on Mount Hermon, but they missed the significance of the moment (Mark 9:5-6). They returned to find some teachers of the law (people hardly known for believing in Jesus) arguing with the other nine disciples (Mark 9:14). Jesus had authorized His team to cast out demons (Mark 3:14-15, 6:13), but something had gone wrong. A father had brought his demon-possessed son to the disciples, and they were unable to help him (Mark 9:17-18).
Jesus was frustrated by the faithlessness of all involved. He called the boy forward, but the spirit caused him to have convulsions. That’s when the father uttered his desperate plea. “Have mercy on us and help us, if You can” (Mark 9:22).
“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus stated (Mark 9:23). Then the man offered what has become the prayer of so many doubting believers over the years: “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). I wonder if the man’s faith had wilted once his hopes were dashed. What I love about the end of the story is that Jesus granted the doubting dad his wish and freed his son (Mark 9:25-27).
I’ve prayed the Doubter’s Prayer often. I’ve lacked faith that God would come through in some matter, but I wanted to believe. Jesus is frustrated by faithlessness, yet He responds to the Doubter’s Prayer. And for that, I’m most thankful.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 7:1-37
More:
Read John 20:26-29 for another occasion when Jesus dealt with a “doubter.” Notice how He responds to Thomas’ doubts.
Next:
What are you struggling to believe God for today—finances, healing, deliverance, forgiveness? Why? What biblical promise can you hold on to while you pray the Doubter’s Prayer?
lindagma on July 20, 2011 at 6:33 am
Amen and Amen!
raptureready2 on July 20, 2011 at 8:36 am
Such a relevent issue for most of us…I think that this is the very reason that the Lord would have us to be in fellowship with one another…to remind each other to have faith…to believe. The only issue I have about ‘the doubters prayer’ is: Does Jesus, aka God, really get ‘frustrated’? I don’t think so. He is sovereign and is in control… frustration is when we are not. I believe that God accepts all of our human shortcomings and is merely stating a fact… that we struggle with our faith. But He wants us to be aware of this so that we might desire and pray to have more faith. His desire is for us to grow in Him.
sheridan voysey on July 21, 2011 at 3:31 am
Does God get frustrated? It’s a good question. In verse 9 of the passage above Jesus gets a little hot under the collar: “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” Jesus – God-in-the-flesh – got angry and frustrated on occasion, and anger and frustration are linked emotions. Yes, God is sovereign, but still reveals himself as Someone who feels emotions.
raptureready2 on July 21, 2011 at 11:26 am
Hi Sheridan…thank you for helping me to see that!
sheridan voysey on July 22, 2011 at 3:04 am
It’s a great question, raptureready 2, as we tend to think God’s omnipotent, omniscient nature means He doesn’t feel emotion. It’s fascinating to read through an Old Testament book like Genesis, Exodus or Deuteronomy and see how emotive He displays Himself to be! The idea of a non-feeling, never-moved deity comes from Greek thought. I don’t think God is ever ‘surprised’ by what we do, but He does reveal Himself as a feeling God.
winn collier on July 20, 2011 at 8:53 am
I join you as a regular participant in this “doubter’s prayer.” Thanks.
GChoo on July 20, 2011 at 9:17 am
Just show how compassionate is our God and Creator. I am so grateful for His Love.
sheridan voysey on July 21, 2011 at 3:32 am
Oh, and so am I GChoo!
daisymarygoldr on July 20, 2011 at 11:39 am
Note: the father of the demon-possessed boy was not a follower of Jesus. And this is what I always assure my friends who are unbelievers. All those who believe and place their faith in Jesus will never be disappointed. Jesus never fails.
And as a follower of Christ, I can relate to the unsuccessful disciples who “could not”… The Lord’s instruction to them was—to pray. We cannot minister to the needs of the oppressed without the power of God. Clearly, prayerless Christians are powerless Christians.
True, God is Sovereign and “can” do anything He wants. However, some things God will not do without prayer what He has promised to do for us only through prayer. The need of the hour is for all of God’s people to come together as believing people and seek the Lord in earnest prayer. When Spurgeon was asked the secret of his success he responded, “Knee work! Knee work!”
When we pray, it helps unbelievers overcome their unbelief. When we pray, it is to confess that apart from Him, believers can do nothing. When we pray, God does miracles that silence the skepticism of arguing opponents. And above all, when we pray it honors Jesus Christ as Lord of all.
sheridan voysey on July 21, 2011 at 3:39 am
Thanks for your thoughts daisymarygoldr. Doubt seems to be a theme for the whole passage – for both the follower of Jesus and the non-follower (or ‘nearly follower’! The man concerned above was at the cusp of following Jesus I think. ‘I believe!’ he said before stating his struggle to ‘fully’ believe). I’m glad Jesus responds to both kinds of people with the sure command to believe – and pray.
regina franklin on July 20, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Sheridan–honesty bathed in the Word brings hope. Asking the Lord to deal with my unbelief in a particular area of prayer.
sheridan voysey on July 21, 2011 at 3:41 am
That’s it Regina!
sheridan voysey on July 21, 2011 at 3:42 am
Thank you Eduardo. The heart is so central in God’s eyes.